You must remove your shoes at TSA checkpoints in most cases, but a few travelers can keep them on

TSA officers will ask you to take off your shoes as part of standard screening at airport security. Your shoes go through the X-ray machine while you walk through the metal detector or body scanner. This applies to nearly every traveler — the rule has no exceptions based on shoe type, and TSA does not make case-by-case decisions about whether your particular shoes need screening.

A small number of people can keep shoes on during screening: TSA PreCheck members, Global Entry members, and NEXUS members in the PreCheck lane. Military personnel in uniform may also keep shoes on in some airports, though this varies. Children under 12 can keep shoes on if they are traveling with a PreCheck member in the PreCheck lane. If you do not fall into one of these groups, removing your shoes is not optional — it is part of the screening process.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard TSA screening requires you to remove your shoes and place them in a bin for X-ray scanning.
  • TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and NEXUS members can keep shoes on when using their dedicated security lanes.
  • Children under 12 traveling with a PreCheck member in the PreCheck lane may keep shoes on.
  • Shoes with metal buckles, thick soles, or orthotics still go through the X-ray machine — removing them is faster than trying to scan them on your feet.
  • Military in uniform may keep shoes on at some airports, but this is not may provide at every location.

How standard shoe screening works

When you reach the security checkpoint, a TSA officer will direct you to remove your shoes and place them in a bin. The bin goes through the X-ray machine on the conveyor belt, the same way your carry-on bag does. You then walk through either a metal detector or a full-body scanner without your shoes. After screening, you collect your shoes from the end of the conveyor and put them back on in the designated area past the checkpoint.

This process takes about 30 seconds per person. The reason TSA screens shoes is that explosives can be hidden in shoe soles, and the X-ray machine can detect them more reliably than a visual inspection. Removing shoes also prevents metal objects in them — buckles, eyelets, metal shanks in dress shoes — from triggering the metal detector and requiring additional screening.

If you wear orthotics or medical shoe inserts, you can leave them in your shoes during X-ray screening. You do not need to remove them separately. If a TSA officer asks about them, straightforward tell them they are medical inserts and let the officer decide whether to inspect them further.

TSA PreCheck and other trusted traveler programs

TSA PreCheck is a paid program that costs $78 to $85 for five years. Members go through a separate, faster security lane where they can keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on. They also leave laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags. PreCheck lanes are available at most major U.S. airports, though not all regional airports have them.

Global Entry costs $100 for five years and includes TSA PreCheck benefits plus expedited customs screening when returning to the U.S. NEXUS costs $120 for five years and is designed for frequent travelers between the U.S. and Canada; it also includes TSA PreCheck. Both programs allow you to keep shoes on in the PreCheck lane.

If you hold one of these memberships, you still need to go through the PreCheck lane — using a standard lane means you follow standard rules, including removing your shoes. Look for the PreCheck sign above the security lane, or ask a TSA officer which lane to use.

Children and military personnel

Children under 12 can keep shoes on during standard screening if they are traveling alone or with a non-PreCheck adult. However, if they are traveling with a PreCheck member in the PreCheck lane, they can keep shoes on. The child does not need their own PreCheck membership to benefit from this rule.

Military personnel in uniform may be allowed to keep shoes on at some airports as a courtesy, but this is not a may provide rule across all locations. TSA policy does not formally exempt military from shoe removal, so it depends on the individual officer and airport. If you are military and want to avoid removing your shoes, TSA PreCheck is the reliable option.

What to wear to make shoe removal easier

Wear shoes that slip on and off quickly — loafers, slip-ons, or sandals are faster than laced boots or shoes with multiple buckles. Avoid shoes with heavy metal buckles, chains, or decorative metal that might trigger the metal detector even after removal. Thick-soled shoes or boots with metal shanks will still go through the X-ray machine, so they do not save you time.

Wear socks or go barefoot if you are comfortable doing so. Some travelers worry about walking barefoot on the security checkpoint floor, but TSA checkpoints are cleaned regularly. If you are concerned about hygiene, wear socks or slip-on shoes that you can remove and put back on without bending down for long.

Avoid wearing shoes with gel inserts, memory foam, or thick padding if you are concerned about them being flagged for additional inspection. Standard insoles and orthotics are screened routinely and rarely cause delays.

Common mistakes that slow down screening

Do not wait until you reach the conveyor belt to start removing your shoes. Begin unlacing or loosening them as you approach the checkpoint so you are ready to place them in a bin when ready. Fumbling with shoes while standing in line holds up the people behind you.

Do not put your shoes directly on the conveyor belt. Always place them in a bin first — shoes can get caught or damaged on the belt, and bins are designed to protect them. If you do not see a bin, ask a TSA officer for one.

Do not assume your shoes will be screened faster if you keep them on and walk through the metal detector. If your shoes trigger the detector, you will be pulled aside for additional screening, which takes longer than straightforward removing them at the start. It is always faster to remove shoes proactively.

What happens if you refuse to remove your shoes

If you refuse to remove your shoes during standard screening, TSA officers will not allow you to proceed through the checkpoint. You will be asked to leave the security area. You cannot board your flight without clearing security, and there is no appeal process at the checkpoint itself.

If you believe the shoe removal rule is being applied unfairly or you have a medical reason that makes it difficult, speak with a TSA supervisor at the checkpoint before refusing. TSA has procedures for travelers with disabilities or medical conditions, and a supervisor can discuss options with you. However, the standard rule remains: shoes must be screened.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to remove my shoes if I have a medical condition?

You still need to remove your shoes for X-ray screening. If you have difficulty removing or putting on shoes due to a medical condition, inform a TSA officer before you reach the conveyor belt. They can provide information or allow you extra time. Bring any medical documentation if you have it, though TSA does not require it.

What if my shoes have metal in them?

Metal in shoes — buckles, eyelets, metal shanks — does not prevent you from removing them. In fact, removing shoes with metal is exactly why TSA asks you to take them off. The metal will be detected by the X-ray machine in the bin, which is the intended screening method.

Can I wear slip-on shoes to avoid the hassle?

Yes. Slip-on shoes, loafers, and sandals speed up the process because you can remove and put them back on quickly without bending or untying. You still have to remove them, but the process takes less time than with laced shoes.

Do I have to remove my shoes if I am connecting to an international flight?

Yes. TSA screening applies to all flights departing from U.S. airports, including international flights. If you are connecting through a U.S. airport, you will go through TSA screening again at the connection point, and you will need to remove your shoes again.

What if I forgot I had something in my shoe pocket?

Tell a TSA officer when ready if you realize you have an item in your shoe after placing it in the bin. Do not try to retrieve it yourself. The officer can remove it and determine whether it needs additional screening. Most common items — coins, receipts, tissues — will not cause problems.